Bijapur : City of Historical Monuments in Karnataka

A Trip to Karnataka

We decided to go on a trip to historical places and temples of Karnataka. Though Karnataka is known for its beautiful beaches, waterfalls and jungles but the real treasure of Karnataka is their well preserved historic places.

Vijapur / Bijapur

Bijapur, a small town bordering Maharashtra and Karnataka was once the capital of Adil Shah dynasty for more than 200 years. Bijapuris a city witness of wars and history from the period of chalukya to AdilShahi, Mugalshahi and Maratha. Bijapur is also known for its excellent Muslim architecture like GolGumbazand Ibrahim Rauza.GolGumbazBijapurKarnatakaBijapuris some 6 to 7 hrs journey by road from Pune. so we caught the bus from Swargate bus stand at around 10 P. M and after a sleepless night on those bumpy roads we reached Vijapur bus stand at around 6 A. M next morning. After enquiring we got to know that there is a lodging facility at bus stand. It was very cheap and very well maintained, After morning abulation, we had typical south Indian breakfast and then started walking towards our first destination which was GolGumbaz.

GolGumbaz was built in 1659 as a tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627-1657) the king of AdilShahi dynasty. After St Peter's Basilica in Rome, GolGumbaz is the second largest dome structure in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.GolGumbazBijapurKarnataka A beautiful garden surrounds GolGumbaz and there are two different structures which look like a single structure from first view. First one is a small two store building at front side which was a Nagarkhana (band room) at the time of Adil Shah and now it is a small museum which depicts the history of this city from Chalukya period to Adilshahi. Things related to Adilshahi are placed in this museum like their arms, clothes, pottery, letters and pictures.

Behind this building there is a huge dome structure with four high towers at four corners like a typical Muslim architecture and when we entered inside it, we were surprised to see that dome with the size never seen before, with voices and echoes from roof-balcony makes that dome more imposing. There is a tomb of Adil Shah in the middle on a simple stone platform with other 4 family members. Beside this platform you feel a breeze of air comes from floor windows which are part of the old cooling system which works like today’s air conditioners.GolGumbaz : Tomb of Adil Shah There are stairs to corner towers which takes you to balcony. Going by that stairs was fatigued but worth for a view of GolGumbaz which you can see from small balcony. The first time when you saw the GolGumbaz from main gate it increases its grandness after every level you climb and it ends here at a view from balcony of that huge dome. After having this unforgettable experience we moved to our next locationMalik – E – Maidan ( The Monarch of the Plains).Malik-e-MaidanBijapurKarnataka

Malik E Maidan is the largest medieval canon in the world. It is 4 m long, 1,5 m in diameter and weight of 55 tons. It is placed on the SherzaBurj which was specially built for this canon. This canon is not just a mammoth size but beautifully crafted with loin jaw and some urdu and farshiinscribtions. Ibrahim RauzaBijapurKarnataka

Ibrahim Rauza or Black Taj Mahal (Rauza means a tomb of a king and Makbara means a tomb of a queen) Ibrahim Rauza is a tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II and this architecture is known as a black Taj Mahal. It is said that this was inspirational design for The Taj mahal.

There are two structures facing towards each other. One is a Black Tajmahal and other one is Masjid (Mosque) and a water tank and fountain in the middle of these 2 structures.

There is a wonder in these two structures. If a person stands in the corner of Masjid and says something in soft voice it can be heard in the inner part of Ibrahim Rauza. But for this demonstration you need help from guide.Ibrahim RauzaBijapurKarnataka

After visiting these wonderful historic places we caught the train from Bijapur at 3.00 pm for our next place Badami.

Reaching Bijapur/Vijapur:

By Road: From Pune to Bijapur 348 km. Busses available from Swargate bus stand. These buses are mostly of Karnatka government and between 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm there are 4 to 5 buses departs which goes Pune – Phansharpur – Magakvedha – Bijapur in 6 to 7 hrs.

I was browsing on internet about my home town Bijapur.. The city of spectacular monuments... infact in my opinion its the richest region of karnataka... Thanks Onkar for putting up this nice article. Have a good time Ramesh